Thank You for Sharing Your Views on Women’s Health

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our Women’s Health in West Berkshire survey.

Your feedback played an important part in helping us highlight the needs and experiences of women and girls across our area.

We gathered views from those aged 14 and over, who shared their thoughts on topics including:

• Menstrual and gynaecological health

• Fertility, pregnancy, and postnatal support

• Menopause

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Cancer care

• The health impacts of violence against women and girls

• Healthy ageing and long-term conditions

  
  

Many respondents told us that local women’s health services were hard to access, and that there was a clear need for better information, more specialist support, and joined-up care.

The insights you shared with us were passed to the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB), and we met with them recently  to discuss the findings in detail.

We are very pleased to say that the ICB has taken your feedback seriously. They told us:

• They are grateful to every woman who took part and recognise the importance of the honest, and sometimes difficult, experiences shared.

• They acknowledge the wide range of issues raised — from endometriosis and heavy bleeding to menopause, mental health, cancer, and the impact of violence — and agree these must be considered across a woman’s whole life, not as isolated problems.

• They accept that women face real barriers to accessing appropriate care, including long waits, lack of local options, and not always feeling listened to.

• They were concerned by how many women are paying privately or travelling abroad for treatment, and agree this must be factored into future planning.

• Most importantly, they confirmed that your feedback will directly inform and shape the new Women’s Health Strategy for our region.

• They expressed a strong commitment to continue working with us, and with local women to improve experiences, access and outcomes.

Your voices will now help shape the new Women’s Health Strategy for the region. This is a positive step forward, and we will continue to champion women’s experiences and push for meaningful, lasting change.

If you have more to share about your experience of women’s health services, good or bad, we would love to hear from you. Your voice really does make a difference. Have Your Say | Healthwatch West Berkshire